Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/31

Rh by the Spaniards. With regard to the first, it is un necessary to enlarge upon what has been said in the previous volume; but the question of political, military, and ecclesiastical preferments requires consideration, inasmuch as the exclusion of Creoles from them is as strenuously denied by the advocates of the Spanish faction as it is emphatically asserted by those of the creole class. Although the Spanish American was eligible to all offices, from the lowest to the viceregal dignity, the higher were almost exclusively filled by men from Spain; and in spite of the asseverations to the contrary, it cannot be denied that promotion to important positions was practically closed to American Spaniards. No stronger evidence can be found than in the opposition to American representation in the Spanish government, and the public expressions of scorn and odium heaped upon the race in the Cádiz periodicals of that time.

The Spanish rulers were determined that New Spain should be ruled exclusively by Spaniards, howsoever the published policy of the nation might be affected thereby; and their opportunities of obtaining political